Flexible hollow articles and method of making the same



April 19, 1927.` 1,625,582

. A. E. ANDERSON FLEXIBLE HOLLOW ARTICLES AND METHOD 0F MAKING THE SAME I Filed Nov. io. 1924 M45 for Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

u UNITED STATESl PATENT OFFICE.

Alwin E. ANDERSON, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIeNOR To lAIRUBBER CORPORA- TION, -OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

FLEXIBLE HOLLOW ARTICLES A NDzMETHOD F MAKING'THE SAME.

AThis invention relates to flexible hollow articles and the. ymaking of the same, and has for one of its objects'to provide a new aii d `improved article of this character having its side walls united in a strong and.

rubber faces, and to provide for uniting the rubber faces of the blanks in vulcanized' joints around the Aperiphery of tlie article and at limited areas within the periphery of the article in a simple' and inexpensive- .manner and with or without the use of a core separating the sheets-of material dur ing the uniting of the faces thereof.v

ber faced cloth is-e'mployed, and in the production of the joints uniting the sheets, portions of the rubber faces are forced into the interstices oflthe cloth sheets so as to become incorporated therein and increase the strength of the' joint.

The present'application is a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial- No. 649.710, filed July 5, 1923.

30 On the drawings Fig. 1 is a top view of av-Aciishion constructed in accordance with my invention,-

with a portion ofthe top wallreinovcd to disclose details/f the construction;

35 Fig. 2 a side or edgevi'ew ofthe cushion of Fig. 1, in the infiatedivcondition. v

Fig. 8 an .enlarged sectional view -on the llne 3 3 of Fig. 1, sliowiig the joint for connecting the upper and lower walls of the 4.0' casing;

Fig. 4 a similar. view, sliowiiig the. position of the parts when the casing is in Hated;

` Fi 5 a fragmentary top view ofa mold fior-ming the cushion; l' Fig. 6 aside view of a number of molds arranged in a press" for vulcanizing cushions in accordance with-,my invention;

5" inold; and K 4 `Fig. 8 a` sectional view thereof, taken On the line 8`8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 7 a top view of a `modified form. of

Application mea November io, 1924. seriaiNolnssi.

In carrying out my invention I employ a sheet of cloth or fabrl having a coating of uncured rubber com ound on oneside. Two pieces of the material are'cut in sub,- stantially the form and size of the article 4which is vto be made therefrom, and thesepieces are superposed with their Arubber surfaces adjoining and clamped in a mold. This mold is formed -so as to press together corresponding. arcas of the -two sheets',

around the edges and at inward points if' required, and subjected to a vulcani'zing temperature. The pressure employed is getherportions of the two sheets are con- .65. Asufficient so. that as the rubber reaches'a vulcanizlng temperature, the pressed toA solidated into aunita'ry mass.1 'and-the highpressure forces the'rubber into the interl. sticos of'the fabric at the' joint and also 20 According to the present invention -rubllayers of rubber immediately adjoining the area of compression. -Ordinarily no spe- Cial precaution is required to prevent the uncompressed areas of rubber, or the portions Wliich are not clamped between the ribs, from sticking together as h'eavy pres- -sure is required to effect-the consolidation,

but if found necessary a very light dusting -i of material such as talc may be applied toone or bothof the rubber surfaces to avoid any possibility of the rubber parts sticking A together at points where they arerequired to remain separate. Referring to the drawings, which it is to be understood-are merely illustrative of one of the many applications of my invention, 'the reference numeral' 1 indicates one sec-- tion of a mold for making a bicycle or motorcycle seat and 2 the Other'sections, of said mold,' said lsectionsbeing substantially of the same forni as the seat which is to bemade, and preferably hingedtogether as at`3, so as to fold together to clamp the `slieets f material of which the cushion is composed therebetween.- The places 'at which the A sheets are to be joined togetheri are determined by ribs or raised places on.l one or both of the mold sections., `In the present case, both sections 1 and 2 are ribbed Qg g said` ribs :being correspondingly arran ed and comprising an outer rib t extending entirely around the edge of the mold section, an inner rib formation 5, and intermediate ribs 6 and 7, these latter being` interrupted at points as indicated at 8, so that the sheets will not be joined together at these points but will leave passage for intercomiminication between the separate. cells or compartments of the cushion. The ribs are beveled pif slightly on their edges for a. purpose which will later appear.

Two similar sheets 9 of the material ot which the cushion is to be iliade and each preferably comprising a Vfabric 10 with a `rubber coating-or layer 11 of rubber adhering to one side-` are cut. substantially in the form of the mold section 1 or 2 and they are then arranged in supcrposed position with the rubber facesl contacting. They are then placed in the mold 1-2 and the two i sections of the mold closed together to conne the sheets 9--9 therebetween. v

In practice I prefer to prepare a number of molds with the sheets therein as'abovc. described, and then place the molds in a suitable press 12 as shownin Fig. t, with a hollow casing 13 at each side of leach mold and operate the press to compress the molds and the sheets of material therebetween. Any suitable pressure which will serve to consolidate the portions of the rubber ot the sheets' which are between lthe ribs of the sections 1 and 2, may be employed. However, I have found that a pressure of substantially 200 pounds per square inch of rib face is sufficient.

The casings 13 are provided with connections 14 and 15 for steam. and while the units in the press are under the proper com pression, steam is admitted to the casings 13 and the molds heated thereby so as to vulcanze or cure the rubber. In this operation the high pressure to which the compressed portions of the rubber are subjected. causes the rubber portions of the two sheets 9 directly between the corresponding ribs 4---5` -6 and 7 of the two mold sections to consolidate, and presses the consolidated mass ot' rubbervinto a unitary thin skin 16 between the two fabrics 10 and the rubber is forced into the interstices of the fabric so that the thin skin 16 of the rubber is thoroughly and securely. bonded to the corresponding areas of the upper and lower fabrics. Moreover, the compressing of the consolidated mass of rubber by the employment of the high pressure of substantially 200 pounds per square inch Icauses lthe excess rubber to iillet 17 forms a connection between the spread apart or divergent portions 18, which reinforces the joint and makes the cushion capable of withstanding unusually high internal pressure. It will be noted that the fillet 1T is a double fillet in that it is formed from vthe material extruded from the rubber faces of both sheets. and therefore this double or composito fillet is of material bulk and constitutes a rcentorcement and adds materially to the strength of the connection betwceen the rubber of thc joint and the rubber faces ot the two sheets. The bevelcd edges of the opposed ribs mate to form a mold for this fillet.

The ribs 4 ot the mold sections 1 and 2 are preterabl)7 cut away as indicated at 19,

adjacent the hinge 3 to accommodate a valve 20 which is inserted between the edges of the sheets 9 before the mold is closed, and this valve becomes permanently attached to the "cushion in the vulcanizing operation and serves as a means tor infiating the cushion.

Instead ot' using the molds such asv shown in-Figs. '5 and 6 and the separate steam casings 13". the molds and steam casings may be `rombined in a single unit as shown in Iii gs. 7. and S. In the structure of these two figures, the mold consists lfot' `the two fiathollow casings 21,r which are suitably reinforced to withstand the high pressure to which they are subjected, by ribs 22 which are interposed between the upper and lowery walls thereof, said ribs being terminated at a distance from the marginal walls of the casings so as to vatfortl intercommunication between all parts of the interior of the casing, and these casings are hinged together as at 23, so as to fold together in the same manner as the mold sections 1 and 2. The inner surfaces of the casings 21 are provided with ribs around the edge and at intermediate points similar to the ribs 10, 13, 14

and 15 respectively, shown in Fig. 5. for compressingportions of rubberized sheets therebetween so as tos connect the sheets around their edges -and at intermediate points asl shown in the structure of Fig. 1. Steam connections 25 and 26 are provided -t'or each of the casings 21 and are preferably; composed in part of flexible tubing which permits the necessary manipulation ot the molds. These molds, after the sheets have been placed in position therebetween, are placed in a press of any suitable type in superposedv relation, so thatthe sheets of material between the casings 21 are suitably compressed to cause the proper bonding ot the two 4sheets along the ribs` and stealnis admitted to the interior of the casings 21 and the sheets vulcanized together in the same manner as when the molds 1 2 and steam casings 13 are employed.

The apertures in one of the csi-sings 21, through which the hingepin 23 is passed,

of unvulcanized rubber to blanks of the deare preferably elongated somewhat in an up and down direction as indicated at 28 in F 1g. 8, to afford sucientplay to permit free clamping movement of the casings 2l, and the hinge connection 3 of the molds shown in Fig. 5 is also similarly formed for the same purpose.

As stated hereinbefore, the ribs may be formed on only4 one of the members of the mold if desired, and the other mold section may be left flat. However, l prefer to employ molds having ribs on the inner surfaces 0f both members thereof, and merely wish it to be understood that my invention conf templates the use of ribs on only one or both of the lnembers of lthe mold. Straps or connectors 29 may be attached to the edge of the pad if required by merely inserting same between thesheets 9 and vulcanizng them in place as the sheets 9 are vulcanized t0- gether.

CFrom the foregoing it that I have provided a simple' and inexpensive method of forming or making an air pad or similar article, and the air pad which is thus formed is exceedingly strong on account of the-bonding of the .fabric of the two sheets of material at the joints and especially on account of the reinforcing lillet which is formed along the edges of the joints and connects Athe divergent'portions of the casing walls along the, edges of the joints.

While I-have shown and described my inventionin a preferred form, I am aware thatvarious changes and modifications may be made without depart-ing from theprinciples of my invention, the scope'of which is vto be determined Aby the appended claims.

I claim as'my invention:

1. The method of making hollow articles, which consists in cutting sheets having faces of unvulcanized rubber to blanks of the de sired size and shape, placing said blanks with their rubber-faces face to face, and applying a vulcanizingheat to the blanks and simultaneously applying pressure to the exteriors of tt-he blanks along the peripheries thereof and compressing the rubber faces and uniting the same'in a vulcanized joint vof lessv thickness than the combined thickness ot' the -two blanks around'the periph-y ery of the article aiid along the line of pressure applied thereto. A

The method of making hollow articles, which consists in 'cutting sheets having faces sired size andI shape, placing K said blanks `with their rubber faces face to face, and, in the absence of a core,yapply1ng a Vulcanlzing na" vulcanized joint ypf less thickness than Awill be observedi the combined thickness of thetwo blanks around the periphery of the article and along the line of pressure applied thereto.

3. The method of making hollow'articles, which consists in cutting sheets having faces of unvulcanized rubber to blanks of the desired size and shape, placing said blanks with their rubber faces face to face.and applying a rulcanizing heat to the blanks and Vsiniultaneously applying pressure to the exteriors'of the )lanks along the peripheries thereof and also to restricted areas within the peripheries of the blanks and compressing the rubber faces and uniting the same in vulcanized joints 'of less thickness than `the combined thickness of the two blanks in the areas subjected to pressure. j i

4. The method of making hollov7 articles, which consists in cutting sheets having faces. of uuvulcanized rubber to blanks of the desired size and shape,. placing said blanks with their rubber faces face to face, and applying a vulcanizing heat vto the blanks and simultaneously applying pressure to the ex "teriors of the 'blanks along/.thel peripheries thereof and compressing the rubber faces and unit-ing the same in a lvulcanized joi`nt of less thickness than the combined thickness of thetwo blanks around the" periphery of the article and along the line of pressure'applied thereto, said pressure extruding rubber of each face ina fillet extending along. the inner edge of the peripheral joint.' A.

5. The method of making hollow articles, which consists in cutting sheets having faces of unvulcanized rubber to blanks of the desired size and shape, placing said blanks with their rubber Kfaces face to face7 and applying a vulcanizing heat to the blanks and simultaneously applying pressure to the exteriors of the blanks along the peripheries. thereof and also to restricted areas within the peripheries of 'the blanks and compressing the rubber faces and unitingvthe saine in vulcanized 'joints of less thickness than the combined thickness ofthe two. blanks in th-e areas subjected to pressure, said/pressure extruding-rubber of each face ina fillet along the inner edge of the peripheral joint and also along opposite edges/ofthe other joints.

v6. The method of making hollow articles.

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which-consists in cutting cloth sheets having faces of unvulca'nized rubber to blanks of the desired size and shape, placing said blanks with their` rubber faces face to face, and applying a vulcanizingl heat to the blanks and sin'iultaneously applying pressure to the cxteriors of the" blanks along the pe-ripheries thereof Land forcing `rubber of the rubber j faces by said pressure into the interstices-.of v.the clotlrsheets at the peripheriesof the blanks and compressing land uniting the rubber faces in a vulcanized joint of less thickness Ithan the combined thickness of the blanks in the'area subjected to pressure.

7. The method of making hollow articles,

which consists in cutting cloth sheets-havingfaces of unrulcanized rubber to blanks of the desired slze and shape, placing said blanksl with their' rubber faces face to face,

and applying a vulcanizing heat to the 8. The method of making hollow articles,r

which consists in cutting cloth sheetshaving faces of unrulcanized rubber to blanks of the desired size and shape, placing said blanks with their rubber faces face to face, and applying a \ul anizing heat to the blanks and simultaneously applying a pressure of substantially pounds per square inch to the extcriors of the blanks along the periphcries thereof and forcing rubber of `the rubber faces by said pressure into the intel-slices of the cloth sheets at the peripheries of they blanks and compressing and unit ing the rubber faces in a vulcanized joint of thickness than the combined thickness of the blanks in the area subjected to pressure.

i). 'lhe method of making hollow articles, which consists in cutting cloth sheets' having faces ot' uuvulcanized rubber to blanks of the desired sizeV and shape, placing said `blanks with their rubber faces face to face, and aj'iplying a vulcanizing heat to the blanks and simultaneously applying a prssure of substantially 20G-pounds per square inch to thel exterior-s of the blanks along the peripheries thereof and on limited areas within the pcriphcries of the blanks and forcing rubber of the rubber faces 'by said pressurel into the intersticcs of the cloth sheets at the pressure areas and compressing and uniting the rubber faces in a vulcanized joint. of less` thickness thanothe combined thickness of the blanks in the arca subjected to pressure.

ll). The method of making hollow articles, which consists in cutting cloth sheets hav; ing t' aces of unvulcanized rubber to blanks ol' IheI desired size and shape, placing said `blanks withthcir rubber faces face to face, applying a vulcanizing heat to the blanks and simultaneously applyingr pressure to the extcriors of the blanks along the peripheries thereof, forcing rubber ofthe rubber faces by said pressure into the interstices of the cloth sheets at thc peripheries of the blanks and compressing and uniting the rubber laces in a vulcanized joint of less thickness than the combined thicknessl of the blanks in the area subjected to pressure, said pressure extruding rubber of each face in a fillet extending along the inner edge of the peripheral joint.

11. The method of making hollow articles, which consists in ctitting cloth sheets haring faces of unvulcanized rubber to blanks of the desired size and shape, placing said blanks with their rubber faces face to face,

applyinga 'vulcanizing heat to the blanks and simultaneously applying pressure to the exteriors of the blanks along the peripherles thereof and on limited areas vwithin the' 12. .The method of making hollow articles,

which consists in cutting cloth sheets having faces of unrulcanized rubber to blanks of the desirectsize and shape, placing said blanks with their rubber facessface to face, and applying a vulcanizing heat tothe blanks and simultaneously applying a pressure of Substantially 20D-pounds per square inchV to the exteriors of the blanks along the peripheries thereof and on limited areas within the peripheries of the .blanks and forcing rubber of the rubber faces by said pressure into the interstices of the clotll sheetsat the pressure areas and compressing and uniting the rubber 4faces in a vulcanizedjoint of less thickness than the comn bined thickness of the blanks in the area subjected-to pressure, said pressure extruding rubber of each face in a fillet along the inner edge ofthe peripheral joint andl also along opposite edges of the other joints.

18. A flexible hollow article compri-sing a pair of blanks having faces Ofrubber, the

rubber faces of the blanks being disposed face to face and connected peripherally by a vulcanized joint of the rubber of the opposed faces, said joint being compressed and thinner than the combined thickness of the two sheets.

14. A flexible hollow article comprising a pair of blanks having faces of rubber, the rubber faces of the blank being disposed face to face and connected peripherally and also on limited areas within the peripheries of the blanks by vulcanized joints of the rubber of the opposed faces ofthe sheets, the joint portions of the sheets being compressed and thinner than the combined thickness of the two sheets. t

15. A flexible hollow article comprising n thinner than pair of blanks having faces of rubber, the rubber faces of the l face to faceV and connected peripherally by a vulcanized joint of the rubber of the opposed faces, said joint being compressed and the combined thickness' of the two sheets,and fillets of rubber extruded from the rubber faces of the blanks and connecting the rubbery of the joint with the rubber faces of the respective blanks.

16. A flexible hollow article comprising a pair of blanks having faces of`rubber, the

lrubber faces of the blanks being disposed tending along the inner edge of the periphface to face and connected peripherall and also on limited areas Within the perip ierics of the lblanks by vulcanized joints of the rubber of the opposed faces of thev sheets, the joint portions of the sheets being compressed and thinner than the combined thickness of the two sheets, and fillets of rubber extruded from therubber faces of the blanks and exeral joint and also along the opposite edges of the other joints and connecting the rubber of the joints with therubbcr faces of the respective blanks. A

17. A flexible hollow article comprising a pair of cloth blanks having faces of rubber, the rubber faces of the blanks beingdisposed. face to face and connected peripherally by a vulcanized joint of the rubber of the opposed` faces, said joint being compressed and thinner than the combined' thickness of the two peripheries of the blanks, and rubber .of the rubber faces of ,the two blanks being incorporated in the interstices of the cloth along the joint.

18. A. flexible hollow article comprising a. pair of cloth blanks having faces ot' rubber, the rubber faces of the blanks being disposed face to face and connected peripher ally and also along limited areas' within the blanks by vulcanized anks being disposedv joints of the rubber lof the opposed faces of the blanks, the joint portions of the blanks being compressed and thinner than the combined thickness of the two`blanks',`and rubber of the rubber faces of the two blanks being incorporated in the interstices of the cloth along the joints. e

19. A flexible hollow article comprising a pairv of cloth blanks having faces vof rubber, the rubber faces of the blanks being disposed face to face and connected peripherally by a vulcanized joint of the' rubber of the opposed faces, said joint being compressed and thinner than the combined thickness of the two blanks,- rubber of the rubber faces of the two blanks being incorporated in the interstices of the cloth along the joint, and fillets of rubber extruded from the rubber faces of the blanks and connecting the rubber of the joint with the rubber faces of the respective blanks.

20..A flexible hollow article comprising a pair of cloth blanks having faces of rubber, -the rubber faces of the blanks being disposed face to face and connected peripherally and also on limited areas within the peripheries of the blanks by vulcanized joints of the rubber of the opposed faces of thc blanks,

thickness of the two blanks, rubber of the rubber faces of the two blanks being incorporated in'the iiiteistices of the cloth along the joints, and fille-ts of rubber extruded from the rubber faires of the blanks and extending along the inner edge of the 4peripheral joint and also along the opposite edges of the other joints and connecting the rubber of the joints with the rubber of the respective blanks.

A Rvn E. ANDERSON. 

